The New Orleans Saints completed the road rally this time around — no need to even bother with overtime.
A pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, a 21-yard pass to Chris Olave and a goal-line keeper, helped pull back even in Baltimore and take the team’s first lead of the season.
And the defense continued its strong start to the season overall with a shutout final quarter and game-sealing interception inside the 10-yard line by veteran safety Julian Blackmon to clinch the 24-17 victory.
New Orleans only allowed star quarterback Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ offense one score each of the first three quarters, while the Saints gradually got going, keeping within striking distance with three Daniel Carlson field goals and making their move late.
Shough and company finally cracked the end zone on their seventh possession, a 9-play drive for 68 yards and the scoring connection to Olave, followed by a Travis Etienne Jr. (Jennings) two-point run to knot the score at 17-17.
After a quick three-and-out force by the defense, second-year coach Kellen Moore’s offense got right back to work with a 16-play, 68-yard march to scratch ahead with 1:28 to play.
The two drives ate nearly 12 minutes off the fourth-quarter clock to snatch control from the Ravens.
Shough finished 27-for-34 (79.4%) for 252 yards and a touchdown and rushed nine times for another 23 yards and the go-ahead score.
New Orleans meanwhile help Jackson to 21-for-31 passing (67.7%) for 235 yards, a touchdown and the late interception and 34 yards on four rush attempts.
Olave had 86 yards and a score on a game-high eight receptions, and seven-year tight end Juwan Johnson and third-year receiver Devaughn Vele added 66 yards on four catches and 64 yards on five catches, respectively.
Etienne’s eight carries for 25 yards led a rushing attack that found tough sledding against Baltimore.
Sixth-year linebacker Pete Werner led the defense with 11 tackles, including a sack, and eighth-year linebacker Kaden Elliss and eighth-year defensive end Carl Granderson had six and five tackles, respectively, with one for loss each.
Former Alabama running back Derrick Henry with 16 carries for 68 yards and veteran wide receiver Rashod Bateman with seven catches for 88 yards scored the Ravens’ two touchdowns.
The Saints return home for their first game of the season in Caesars Superdome at 3:25 p.m. next Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders — a homecoming for second-year wide receiver Jack Bech, a former St. Thomas More and LSU star, and sixth-year defensive end Patrick Johnson, a three-year starter at Tulane.
